A vignette depicting date rape was presented to 352 male and female high school students. The vignette was accompanied by either a photograph of the victim dressed provocatively, a photograph of the victim dressed conservatively, or no photograph. Subjects who viewed the photo of the provocatively dressed were more likely to indicate that she was…

Examines the effects of race (black or white) of assailant and victim of subjects on perceptions of date rape. Results indicated that date rape encounters were perceived as less serious if the victim was black, and that females were more likely to define the forced sexual encounter as a crime and to be in favor of prosecuting the perpetrator. (JPS)

Investigates press coverage of the Mike Tyson rape trial. Considers the entrenchment of racist reporting in the news, and the implication of the press in modern racism. Finds that press portrayals of Mike Tyson drew from just two dehumanizing and opposing archetypes for African Americans: the animal savage and the helpless, hapless victim. (SR)

Uses the Sexual Experiences Survey to investigate the incidence and nature of sexual coercion among 140 sorority women in the context of their involvement in fraternal life. Provides evidence that the fraternity environment tolerates and even encourages sexual coercion of women. (CJS)

Assessed prevalence of traumatic events, lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and PTSD in past 6 months in 4,008 adult women. Lifetime exposure to any type of traumatic event was 69%, whereas exposure to crimes that included sexual or aggravated sexual assault or homicide of close relative of friend occurred among 36%. (Author/NB)

Evaluated sexual assault prevention program in which 181 female college students participated and 165 female students served as controls. Program was effective in decreasing incidence of sexual assault among women without sexual assault history but was not effective among women with sexual assault history. Program led to decrease in dating…

Conducted date and acquaintance rape needs-assessment survey on 106 male and 113 female college students. Thirty-two women acknowledged that they were victims of rape or attempted rape, and majority reported multiple victimizations. Eighteen men admitted to committing acts that met legal definition of sexual assault in Hawaii. (Author/NB)

To measure self-protective behavior on dates, the Dating Self-Protection Against Rape Scale (DSPARS) was developed. The relationship among previous sexual victimization, self-perceived risk for sexual assault, rape awareness education, gender of dating partner, and DSPARS scores was assessed among 152 college students. Results, implications, and…

Despite the emergence of a literature on sexual assault over the past few decades, adult male victims have traditionally been excluded. Argues that higher education administrators, alerted to the existence of these sexual crimes, are in a unique position to assist potential and actual victims through educational and therapeutic interventions.…

Investigates whether female alcohol consumption predicts perceptions of date rape based on two personality measures administered to 290 undergraduates. Results indicate that a stronger belief in token resistance to sex was related to weaker perceptions of rape. As hypothesized, participants scoring higher on sex-role stereotyping perceived fewer…

Investigates the effectiveness of a date rape prevention program for both male and female undergraduate students (N=60) in changing attitudes and behavioral intent, and exploring the attitude-behavior link for both genders. Results reveal that participants in the treatment groups were less accepting of rape myths and endorsed attitudes…

Posits that too few date rape prevention programs are designed specifically for men. Presents a socialization-focused educational program and explores critical issues related to content development and selection, the delivery process, and evaluation strategies. (Contains 36 references.) (Author/GCP)

Investigates the potential impact of statutory rape laws on teen fertility and initiation of sexual activity. Shows that misleading conclusions about the extent to which teen girls engage in sexual activities with older men may be drawn if these conclusions are based simply on data on births. States that successful enforcement of statutory rape…

This study assessed the role of rape myth acceptance (RMA) and situational factors in the perception of three different rape scenarios (date rape, marital rape, and stranger rape). One hundred and eighty-two psychology undergraduates were asked to emit four judgements about each rape situation: victim responsibility, perpetrator responsibility,…

Prevalence and correlates of adult physical assault and rape in six Native American tribes are presented (N = 1,368). Among women, 45% reported being physically assaulted and 14% were raped since age 18 years. For men, figures were 36% and 2%, respectively. Demographic characteristics, adverse childhood experiences, adulthood alcohol dependence,…